Method of reducing the occurrence of crystalline silica in foamed glass by the introduction of chemical additives

摘要

A method of making a foamed glass body, including preparing an admixture of powdered glass, at least one carbonate based foaming agent, and at least devitrification inhibitor, heating the admixture to a first temperature to soften the glass, heating the admixture to a second, higher temperature to foam the softened glass into a foamed glass body, and cooling the foamed glass body. The crystal silica content of the so-formed foamed glass body is less than 1 weight percent.

主权项

1. A method of making a foamed glass article, comprising:
mixing powdered glass, at least one carbonate based foaming agent, and at least one phosphate-based vitrification enhancer to define an admixture; heating the admixture to a first dilatometric softening temperature; soaking the heated admixture at about the first dilatometric softening temperature; heating the admixture to a second, higher foaming temperature; foaming the admixture to yield a foamed glass body; and cooling the foamed glass body to below the dilatometric softening temperature; wherein the vitrification enhancer is selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, potassium phosphate tribasic, sodium phosphate and combinations thereof; wherein the foamed glass body has a cristobalite content of less than about 1 weight percent.